I just bought an original Lunar Pilot. Everyone says how big the watch is and if you're talking lug to lug I would have to agree. At 52 mm you need at least a seven inch wrist to pull it off. I also own a Seiko SSG017 and a Torgeon T21. The SSG017 measures 50 mm lug to lug while the T21 measures a whopping 53 mm with a lot of curve to them. Measuring the cases the Seiko is 45 mm which is the same as the Bulova with the Torgeon being 44 mm. If you measure the face of the Seiko it's the same as the Lunar Pilot as well at about 38 mm, the T21 is 36 mm. So, not a huge amount of difference really. The interesting thing is that the Lunar Pilot, at least to me, wears smaller on my wrist than the other two.
Just a little of focus here: The Original Bulova watch that was on the moon, was a mechanical prototype. No more watches like that one, were made after. That original Bulova chrono was auctioned for 1.65 M USD on 2015. This is a quartz recreation of the original. No Bulova Moon chrono quartz watch was used in any spacial mission. This version is a beautiful watch, with a ton of great features, at a very good price, BUT for the purists: The moon speedy has more "panache" because, at the time it was introduced into NASA, it was a regular produced watch, and the following models were actually used in spacial missions. OMEGA knows that, and therefore asks for the money accordingly. Cheers!
I love my Bulova Lunar Pilot “Blue Moon” picked up for $699 on sale at a local AD. YES it is a little big but on my 6 1/2” wrist but does wear smaller than the numbers would indicate.
I will most def add this one to my collection !!! It will be my first Bulova , I have been and remain an Omega fan at heart but the history behind this watch is something I’ve just learned of today and it came as a surprise to me to find out there is more than one true moon watch !
Just a little of focus here: The Original Bulova watch that was on the moon, was a mechanical prototype. No more watches like that one, were made after. That original Bulova chrono was auctioned for 1.65 M USD on 2015. This is a quartz recreation of the original. No Bulova Moon chrono quartz watch was used in any spacial mission. This version is a beautiful watch, with a ton of great features, at a very good price, BUT for the purists: The moon speedy has more "panache" because, at the time it was introduced into NASA, it was a regular produced watch, and the following models were actually used in spacial missions. OMEGA knows that, and therefore asks for the money accordingly.
@@guillermoreyes54 this is all true, but, when I look at the Speedmaster and they say “first watch on the moon“ my brain automatically fills in… To break! 😂 I feel like they should probably just not talk about it and call it a wash.
I have one and love it but I'm still considering a speedy. I bought the Phylida Speedy homage as a speedy test drive and have to say the dimensions are perfect. What I do like about the Bulova is that the tachymeter scale is protected by the saphire crystal.
Hi Randy like wise I'm a mechanical auto watch man but your right this Bulova is awesome its there style snoopy for sure I'm in the process of getting one seen one in the Uk for £500 with a extended warranty 4 years this new seize im sure your aware is the same seize that commander Dave Scott wore cheers bud from the UK.
@Cheap Watch Man I'm a huge fan of both but CAM is my top 5 favorite of all the channels I sub to...if I could afford it, I'd be a patreon, and support you more cause you deserve it with all the hard work you put in....
Hey Randy, it's great to see you back. I recently acquired one of these, and I absolutely love it. However, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it at first because, like you, I typically prefer mechanical watches. Thankfully, I was thrilled when they announced the smaller size. Despite my wrist being large enough for the original, I never really liked how it felt and looked on my wrist, and well, it's a quartz watch. The new one fits perfectly and feels amazing. However, if I hadn't seen it in person, I probably still wouldn't own one. I had been searching for a mechanical chronograph for years, but I wanted a quality piece, and they tend to be quite expensive. Fortunately, I managed to get this one at a great price, and I'm really glad I did. Just FYI, I had to adjust the second hand on mine once initially but, I haven't had to adjust it again since. AND, I have been using the chronograph every chance I get, just cause I think it's really cool. ;^) Thanks for sharing the video, and I hope you have a fantastic weekend. -David
Bulova 262KHz is second to nothing! I’m really glad that they are now using this movement on many newer watch designs. The blue Lunar Pilot is pretty. But I already own the Anniversary Edition, so…standing pat. You should take a look at your watch on a Beads of Rice bracelet. It really changes the look and feel. Citizen will open up the watch options for Bulova. A good union….
I have a Cyma Swiss quartz chronograph watch that the hand on the chrono seconds would not go back exactly to the start point so I had to reset it several times. It got worse so I put it away and when I got it out months later the battery was dead. I put a new battery in and the chronograph second hand worked like it should. The problem with my chronograph function was just a weak battery. If yours continues to give you problems or gets worse, you may want to try and replace the battery and see if that fixes the issue. Great looking watch!
To adjust the hand alignment, you can press and hold the pushers for 3 seconds, then the corresponding hands will move, continuously, without needing to press 300-ish times.
Spot on video. I am wearing my Bulova right now. I owned the first Lunar Pilot - but flipped it because it was just too big. When Bulova released this 43.5mm version in blue, I had to get it. It has become one of my favorites and getting a lot of wrist time. I'm not a fan of the leather strap - but that's probably because it's just not a good fit on my wrist. Bulova did great with this new version - and you just got another subscriber.
I had the larger size model for over two years before I sized it and wore it for the first time. I thought it was to big for me, but I had to have one for the collection. Once I wore it, I realized it fit just fine, though def large. I love it now and wish I had started wearing it two years ago. I certainly would have gone for this version. Oh well.
Great review. I got my "big" one about a year ago. At 73 yes old & 7.5 inch wrist I love the legibility and being a bit of an accuracy freak it's my every day watch. Love it.
I bought an OG Lunar Pilot last Sunday for less than $500USD brand-new. I like it better than the new versions because my wrist easily handles 45mm watches and, most importantly, I absolutely HATE ghost dates. My watch has a date window, yours doesn't, even though you have the date complication, Bulova just decided to delete the window and raise the price to the literal moon. Nah, I'm much happier with the original for less than half the price of a new version.
Omega Moonwatch miserable failed in the space yet Omega advertise that failure constantly.Bulova lunar pilot was the replacement watch and it worked in space flawlessly unlike puny😢 Omega.
I have a Bulova Lunar Pilot. It is (for the price) really precise. It's the (quartz) wristwatch I use to set the correct time for my mechanical watches.
Thanks man. This is the best review of this watch I’ve seen to date. I bought the pie plate 45mm of this years back, time to flip this and grab the black version…..can’t wait 😊
Randy I love the lunar pilot- I’ve had the original for a year and wear it all the time with the strap and super cool NASA NATO. The box is neat too. Bulova is a great brand. The tuning fork reminds me of an upside down Omega.
Randy: I own both the older and this current version. It’s excellent. Quartz is OK here because it’s high accuracy quartz. It does have two drawbacks: A) the 60 minute chrono dial is too small. 11or 12 minutes? You can’t tell. B) Panda version: the small dial hands are unpainted and are this usually almost invisible.
It’s an ok watch. I own this and the speedy and the speedy just has the special feel to it. But the bulova is a good one to have if I don’t want to wear something out that’s too expensive
I was glad this came out in a different color. I much prefer divers over chrono so I'm glad I've kind of "met in the middle" with this one. I'm glad I have one in the collection but it helps me know I probably should look to get another luxury diver instead of shelling out for the speedy. my moons watch size is actually perfect though. so never say never...
I've always dreamed about having an omega speedmaster Since I started to get into watches when i was a kid. But it was very expensive 5k which it's still out of my league and i earn small in my current job but then I found out about Bulova lunar pilot not only it looks like the omega speedmaster but it has a rich history behind it and it looks beautiful, and the fact it cost 500/570 euros is crazy still very expensive for me but with enough time to save up money month i could get it
I bought two of the larger version (stainless on bracelet and black no-date pvd on leather NATO) a few years ago when they were around $350. I like them, but at 45 mm they're too damn big, and I'm a big guy, baffled why Bulova made it that big. I like the new navy version, but I'm not sure 43.5 is small enough to make the jump. If it was 42 mm it would be.a no-brainer.
I think it may be the movement is the limiting factor. not for sure though. this is definitely still a big watch but I don't feel like it's too big. but I'm also a larger dude too
I had wanted a Lunar Pilot for a while and was lucky enough to pick up one of the 50th anniversary editions. Yes, its the larger size, but thats fine, and with titanium and gold, in a presentation box, limited release at $1000 its a ridiculous bargain and seriously punches far about its weight. Its the watch I grab when my Aquis doesnt feel impressive enough!
Yeah, the OG is like wearing a tea saucer; it's ridiculous. But the new one is... 🥁 ...1.5 mm smaller, wow! Unless you're The Undertaker or LeBron, you'll look like a 🤡 dressing up in your Dad's stuff.
@@harveymanfrantinsingin7373 Nah man. Not everyone is comically fat especially around the wrist. And I've already got 17.5cm (6.9 inch) wrist and imo 42mm is my sweet spot. 39mm field watches if I'm feeling cute on that day.
@@khonjel_singh and not everyone is built like a man…you especially. I’m 6’2” with a rugby build, so having an 8.25 wrist doesn’t make me “comically fat “.. but your comment shows that you’re comically insecure! 😂😂 cope harder.
Cool watch. Unfortunately, made only for average to large wrists only. If there was like a 40mm, or even just a 42 with short lugs I'd love to own one.
I don't like butterfly clasps on sports watches - especially ones that big. I guess it's only a quartz so maybe not that much weight as a mechanical but yeah - would prefer a proper sports watch bracelet than a GADA dress watch bracelet. I'll keep an eye out at the pre-owned watch dealers and try one on if I see one, but won't be hunting one down. I used to dislike the paddle pushers, but they are kinda growing on me.
Sir, I needed this at 40mm or smaller to pull the trigger. I dont have a small wrist width i just think watches look more elegant when smaller but then again my style is more on the formal side
I can't take watch snobbery seriously unless the snob can disassemble/reassemble a mechanical movement. Those who can tend to realize what a marvel the quartz movement really is.
Great and honest review, knowing your channel I can see you being tempted to brush the polished center links. Does the no micro adjust clasp bother you at all?
I had to play around with the bracelet a little bit. thankfully, I don't like to wear my bracelets tight so it's just loose enough that if my wrist swells it's not uncomfortable. I could see it being a bit of an issue for people looking for that "perfect" fit though
I have the 45mm version so I probably won't be buying this model unless they do a 40mm version. Especially at the price they want. If it were a mechanical model, id pay $1500.
I've always admired the Lunar Pilot but the dimensions are a bit comical. Like those Diesel or MVMT fashion monstrosities (edit: Invicta 🙄). I have 6¾ wrists; the OG LP would wear like a tea saucer on me. Be like dressing up in dad's clothes 🤡 Great watch, though, very high value/cost ratio
More like $320 for moonSwatch is a scam. The quartz movement in the LP having 262 Khz high beat quartz of accuracy at -/+ 10 seconds per year....PER year...that's pretty insane